Thursday, March 26, 2009

Being Professional

A professional learns every aspect of the job. An amateur skips the learning process whenever possible.A professional carefully discovers what is needed and wanted. An amateur assumes what others need and want.A professional looks, speaks and dresses like a professional. An amateur is sloppy in appearance and speech.A professional keeps his or her work area clean and orderly. An amateur has a messy, confused or dirty work area.A professional is focused and clear-headed. An amateur is confused and distracted.A professional does not let mistakes slide by. An amateur ignores or hides mistakes.A professional jumps into difficult assignments. An amateur tries to get out of difficult work.A professional completes projects as soon as possible. An amateur is surrounded by unfinished work piled on top of unfinished work.A professional remains level-headed and optimistic. An amateur gets upset and assumes the worst.A professional handles money and accounts very carefully. An amateur is sloppy with money or accounts.A professional faces up to other people’s upsets and problems. An amateur avoids others’ problems.A professional uses higher emotional tones: Enthusiasm, cheerfulness, interest, contentment. An amateur uses lower emotional tones: anger, hostility, resentment, fear, victim.A professional persists until the objective is achieved. An amateur gives up at the first opportunity.A professional produces more than expected. An amateur produces just enough to get by.A professional produces a high-quality product or service. An amateur produces a medium-to-low quality product or service.A professional earns high pay. An amateur earns low pay and feels it’s unfair.A professional has a promising future. An amateur has an uncertain future.The first step to making yourself a professional is to decide you ARE a professional.Are you a professional?